DESCRIPTION

BUFFER INTERFACE FOR FRUIT RIPENING DISPLAY

Background Of The Invention

The use of glass and other delicate material for fruit ripening displays as disclosed in copending U.S. patent application 10/920,044, filed on August 16, 2004, and incorporated herein by reference, creates difficulty when the ripening displays use metal and other hard materials in their other parts. In particular, the use of vent inserts, more particularly metal vent inserts, as disclosed in that application, creates a hard interface with the glass material. Since 1) the glass in the disclosed fruit ripening displays may be relatively thin to permit clear viewing of the fruit, 2) the vent insert may be elevated relative to the fruit support surface so that the fruit resting on the fruit support surface will be biased not to cover the vent insert holes and 3) the vent insert may be made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or other hard substance to ensure durability and lack of chemical interaction with fruit acids, there is now a need for a buffer interface between these fruit ripening display vent inserts and the display parts. Further, the buffer interface may beneficially streamline air flow between the ripening chamber and the outer atmosphere by, for example, sealing off any spaces that may interfere with proper circulation through the fruit ripener display vent insert. The buffer interface may beneficially include a lock.

Summary Of The Invention

Applicants provide various methods and apparatuses that permit beneficial venting of fruit ripening displays. In one aspect, a fruit ripening display comprises one or more display parts, one or more vent inserts, and a buffer interface

between at least one part and at least one vent insert that comprises an air flow channeler. In another aspect, a fruit ripening display comprises one or more display parts, one or more vent inserts, and a buffer interface that is grooved to accept at least one of said one or more fruit ripening display parts. In another aspect, the fruit ripening display vent insert comprises one or more protrusions that comprise a buffer interface locator. In another aspect, the buffer interface comprises a lock. Each of these aspects may be used in permutation and combination with one another. Further embodiments as well as modifications, variations and enhancements are also described herein.

Brief Description Of The Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vent insert-buffer interface assembly. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the vent insert-buffer interface assembly of FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of the vent insert-buffer interface assembly of FIG. 1 taken vertically through its center line.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vent insert-buffer interface assembly. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the vent insert-buffer interface assembly of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the vent insert-buffer interface assembly of FIG. 5 taken vertically through its center line.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a vent insert having an inward hole slope. FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the vent insert of FIG. 7 taken vertically through its center line.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fruit ripening display employing a buffer interface.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the fruit ripening display of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fruit ripening display employing a buffer interface.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the fruit ripening display of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a fruit ripening display employing an alternate vent insert-display part connector.

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a fruit ripening display employing a vent insert that consists or comprises the interface material.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a cross-section of a buffer interface with groove and lock.

FIG. 16 is a see-through top view of the buffer interface of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a side elevation view of a cross-section of a buffer interface with groove and lock.

FIG. 18 is a see-through top view of the buffer interface of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of a fruit ripening display employing the buffer interface of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of a fruit ripening display employing the buffer interface of FIG. 15.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fruit ripening display vent insert 100 having four holes. Figure 2 shows a perspective exploded view of the vent

insert of Figure 1 with a buffer interface 102. The buffer interface has a substantially reciprocal contour relative to the underside of the vent insert 100. Indeed, they may fit flush against one another. They may be connected together by a connector such as glue or rivet or simply pressure fit together. Fig. 3 shows a cross-section of vent insert 100 comprising buffer interface 102. Preferably, buffer interface 102 contains director portions that create directed gas flow between the inside and outside of the ripening display chamber. For example, the buffer interface 102 may comprise flow channeler 104. In a preferred embodiment, the buffer interface 102 also comprises a tapered section 106 that may rest in an opening of the display. In this way, a vent insert may fit the display opening despite variations in hole size due to manufacturing tolerances. In this preferred embodiment, the tapered section acts like a stopper and has a diameter that tapers from a size larger than the display opening to a size smaller than the display opening. Figures 4-6 show the same views, structures and concepts for a three-hole vent insert design. The buffer interface may be made of thermoplastic rubber or any other material that can beneficially absorb forces between the display part and the vent insert. In addition, the buffer interface preferably has good gripping properties so that the vent insert is not easily disconnected from the display. Preferably, it is also made of a dishwasher and food safe material. Figures 7 and 8 show a vent insert 700 that has an inward hole slope 702 that leads to the perimeter of its vent insert holes. Although vent insert 700 with inward hole slope 702 shows a four-hole variation, it may be used with the three-hole variation as shown in Figures 4-6, with a two-hole variation, or with some other hole variation. This inward hole slope 702 is in contrast to the right angle cut of the vent

insert hole perimeter shown in Figures 1 through 6. More preferably, the inward hole slope 702 continues past the plane of the vent insert underside so as to form one or more protruding inlets 710 on the underside of the vent insert.

In a preferred embodiment, the protruding inlet comprises a buffer interface locator. According to this aspect, the buffer interface preferably has the substantially reciprocal shape of a vent insert having one or more protruding inlets. In that way, the protruding inlet can help locate the buffer interface on the underside of the vent insert when connecting the vent insert and buffer interface together since it forces a limited number of connecting positions. This is very useful when the buffer interface is manually glued to the underside of the vent insert. It helps reduce the chance the buffer interface will be attached in a way that covers part of a vent insert hole.

Figures 9 and 10 show a fruit ripening display in which the vent insert 100 and buffer interface 102 may be used. Alternately, the vent insert 700 with inward hole slope 702 leading to the perimeter of its vent insert holes may be used, preferably along with a substantially reciprocally contoured buffer interface. More preferably the buffer interface also further comprises a tapered section. The fruit support surface 900 may be glass or other material and has a hole (not shown) that permits gas exchange between the fruit ripener display chamber and the outer atmosphere through vent insert 100 or 700. The tapered section 106 of the buffer interface 102 is visible in Figure 10. Figures 11 and 12 show the same views and concepts as Figures 11 and 12 for a three-hole vent insert design. Other vent inserts, vent insert hole configurations and vent insert hole shapes may be used.

In another aspect, interfaces may be attached to other parts of the fruit ripener display. For example, an interface, preferably one made of thermoplastic rubber, may interface between display part 910 and the display support portion of base part 920 of Figures 9 and 10. Likewise, feet 930 may have an interface, preferably one made of thermoplastic rubber, between them and the table top. This also applies to the embodiment of Figures 11 and 12.

As shown in Figure 13, various vent insert connectors may be made of a preferred interface material, such as thermoplastic rubber, that absorbs force between the vent insert and the fruit support surface. For example, items 1616, 1625, and the underside of 1617 may be made all or in part of an interface material, such as thermoplastic rubber. The vent insert could be pressure fit, glued or otherwise connected to the fruit support surface via some or all of these interfaces.

As shown in Figure 14, the vent insert 2715 may itself comprise or consist of an interface material, such as thermoplastic rubber, that helps absorb forces between the vent insert and fruit support surface. The vent insert 2715 preferably comprises an integral tapered section 2717 made of an interface material.

As shown in Figures 15 and 16, the buffer interface 3000 may comprise a groove 3002 and lock 3004. In this embodiment, the lock forms an entire perimeter of the buffer interface, thereby giving the lock a ring shape. Although this locking ring may be circular (as shown) it may have other shapes. To attach the vent insert- buffer interface assembly to the fruit ripening display part, the locking ring is placed through an opening in the fruit ripening display part whose own width is preferably equal to or less than the locking ring width at their points of contact. The groove, whose height should accommodate the thickness of the display part, then receives

the display part's edge. The display part is thus bounded by the upper portion of lock 3004.

The buffer interface of this embodiment may also comprise an air flow channeler 3006, which itself may comprise a surface of the locking ring. Although the flow channeler as shown vertically channels air flow through the vent insert and away from the vent insert's outer perimeter, it may be of other thicknesses, orientations and locations such that it channels air passing through the vent insert away from the vent insert's natural contour. The buffer interface of this embodiment may also have a substantially reciprocal contour relative to at least one of said one or more said fruit ripening display vent inserts at its point of contact. Further, the buffer interface of this embodiment may be located on a vent insert (not shown) by one or more vent insert protrusions that comprise a buffer interface locator.

In a most preferred embodiment, shown in Figures 17 and 18, the buffer interface 3100 may comprise one or more grooves 3102, with the lock comprised of one or more locking tabs 3104 . Although the locking tabs may be orientated along the perimeter of a circle (as shown), they may be provided in a different orientation. To attach the vent insert-buffer interface assembly to the fruit ripening display part, the locking tabs are placed through an opening in the fruit ripening display part whose own width is preferably as narrow or narrower than the distance between the locking tabs at their points of contact. The groove, whose height should accommodate the thickness of the display part, then receives the display parts edge. The display part (not shown) is thus bounded by the upper portion 3110 of one or more locking tabs 3104.

The buffer interface of this embodiment may also comprise an air flow channeler 3106, which may itself comprise a locking tab surface. Although the flow channeler as shown vertically channels air flow through the vent insert and away from the vent insert's outer perimeter, it may be of other thickness, orientations and locations such that it channels air passing through the vent insert away from the vent insert's natural contour. The buffer interface of this embodiment may also have a substantially reciprocal contour relative to at least one of said one or more said fruit ripening display vent inserts at its point of contact. Further, the buffer interface of this embodiment may be located on a vent insert (not shown) by one or more vent insert protrusions that comprise a buffer interface locator. Figure 19 shows a fruit ripening display comprising the buffer interface of Figures 17 and 18. Figure 20 shows a fruit ripening display comprising the buffer interface of Figures 15 and 16. In the case of these and other embodiments disclosed herein, the vent insert and the buffer interface can be made of a uniform material and form an integral unit having the foregoing configurations.